Removable nosepiece for a unitary lens

ABSTRACT

A unique unitary lens for eyewear includes right and left lens regions formed of substantially spherical portions. The lens provides improved aerodynamics, aesthetic appearance and eye protection for sport eyewear applications.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/330,485 filed on Oct.28, 1994, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to eyewear having a unitary lens with twosubstantially spherical lens regions. The unitary lens is designed toextend around the wearer's eyes throughout a wide range of vision, andto provide improved aerodynamics, aesthetic appearance and eyeprotection.

Additionally, the invention provides connecting members for connectingtemples to a lens and a nosepiece that are suitable for use with theunitary lens.

Eyewear for sports sunglass applications is designed for use duringsporting activities such as skiing, biking, speed skating, volleyball,and the like. It is desirable that these types of sunglasses interceptperipheral light, protect the eyes from impact, and offer a comfortablefit.

One type of wrap-around or shield-type eyewear that is currentlymarketed for sports sunglass applications is characterized by a unitarycylindrical or unitary spherical shaped lens made of a plastic materialsuch as a polycarbonate. However, such sunglasses having a unitarycylindrical or spherical shaped lenses tend not to conform closely tothe wearer's head. The geometry of these lenses is defined primarily bya single segment of a cylinder, or a single segment of a sphere, whereastypical anatomical head shapes are not cylindrical or spherical inshape, particularly across the face. The nonconformity between the lensshape and head and face shape is further complicated by the fact thathead and face shapes vary greatly among individual persons. Thismismatch may result in eyewear which does not closely and comfortablyfit the head of the wearer, resulting in a sacrifice of comfort,aerodynamic shape and protection of the eyes.

Another type of eyewear for sports sunglass applications is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 4,741,611 (Burns). This eyewear has a unitary front,molded from a plastic material such as polycarbonate, having a pair oflenses connected by an integral bridge, and includes a separatenosepiece that wraps around the bridge. The lenses have toric inner andouter surfaces and provide a fairly large wrap depth. This eyewear ischaracterized as avoiding the "bug-eyed" appearance of related eyewearhaving a pair of spherical lenses connected by an integral bridge, suchas disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,526,449 (Bolle et al.).

However, in the sunglasses disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,741,611 and3,526,449, a wearer's vision may be blocked by the wrap-aroundnosepiece, or the bridge may tend to distort vision of the wearer.Further, although the sunglasses disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,611have a fairly large wrap depth laterally, protection from below or abovethe eyes is limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment, the invention relates to a unitary lens foreyewear comprising a top edge, a bottom edge, and first and second(right and left) lens regions, wherein the bottom edge has a centralindentation between the lens regions. In one aspect, the outer surfacesof the lens regions are defined by respective first and secondsubstantially spherical portions, wherein a linear horizontal distancebetween the centerpoint of the first substantially spherical portion andthe centerpoint of the second substantially spherical portions is nomore than 4.0 cm. In another aspect, the lens regions are characterizedas having substantially spherical outer surfaces joined by a blendedjuncture.

The present invention is also directed to eyewear having the describedunitary lens and which is particularly adapted for use during sportsactivities. The eyewear is specifically designed to closely fit the headand face of the wearer to improve peripheral vision, to enhanceprotection of the eyes, and to be aerodynamic in appearance andfunction. The lens of the invention conforms more closely to the frontand the sides of the wearer's head, thereby maximizing the interceptionof peripheral light. Each lens portion of the unitary lens is relativelyuniformly spaced from the eye at all angular ranges of vision, therebyproviding improved peripheral vision and eliminating the annoyance ofeyelashes contacting the lens surface, a common problem with improperlyfit unitary cylindrical shaped lenses. In a preferred embodiment, thelens is tinted for sunglass eyewear applications.

According to other embodiments, the invention relates to eyewearemploying unique connecting members for connecting temples to lenses,and a nosepiece suitable for use with the unitary lens. These featuresare adapted for interchangeable lenses and temples so that eyewear canbe modified according to a desired use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a lens made in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention showing the relationship of the lensto a wearer's head;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the lens shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of eyewear including a lens and connecting membersof the invention, and partial temples;

FIG. 4 is a partial, perspective, exploded view of the eyewear shown inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a nosepiece of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a back view of the nosepiece of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the nosepiece of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the nosepiece of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a lens blank, further showing the lensof FIG. 3 with dashed lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, unitary lens 10 has a first (or right) lensregion 12 and a second (or left) lens region 14, unitary lens 10 beingfurther defined by top edge 11 and bottom edge 13. Bottom edge 13 has anupwardly curved central indentation 17 between lens regions 12,14.Indentation 17 may be designed to fit directly over the bridge of thenose of the wearer, or to receive nosepiece 80 for placement on thebridge of the nose (as shown in FIG. 4).

Outer surfaces 2, 4 of respective lens regions 12, 14 are substantiallyspherical (i.e., a portion of a substantially spherical object).Preferably, the inner surfaces of lens regions 12, 14 are substantiallyspherical, also, so that the lens regions do not distort vision of awearer (nor provide a power correction). It is preferred that outersurfaces 2,4 and inner surfaces are spherical. However, since thesesurfaces may deviate slightly from truly spherical portions withoutimparting noticeable distortion to a wearer's vision, the term"substantially spherical portion" and like terms is used to denoteconfigurations with such minor deviations. (Hereinafter, description ofthe lens geometry will refer primarily to the preferred embodiment wherethese lens surfaces are spherical for purposes of clarity.)

In a first preferred aspect, outer surfaces 2,4 are defined byrespective first and second substantially spherical portions, whereinthe linear horizontal distance (d¹) between the centerpoints of thesetwo portions is no more than 4.0 cm.

More specifically, as best illustrated in the top view of FIG. 1, thecenterpoint of imaginary sphere A (a portion of which forms outersurface 2 of lens region 12) is represented by point Z₁, lying at theintersection of vertical Plane Y₁, vertical Plane X₁, and horizontalPlane Y₂. Similarly, the centerpoint of imaginary sphere B (a portion ofwhich forms outer surface 4 of lens region 14) is represented by pointZ₂ which lies at the intersection of vertical Plane Y₁, horizontal PlaneX₉, and horizontal plane Y₂. Plane Y₁ is an imaginary vertical planewhich traverses the wearer's head between the temples as shown in FIG.1, and Plane Y₂ is an imaginary horizontal plane which traverses the eyeregions as shown in FIG. 2. Each of Planes X₁ and X₂ is an imaginaryvertical plane that is substantially perpendicular to Plane Y₁ andextends from the front to the back of the wearer's head as shown inFIG. 1. The distance d¹ between Planes X₁ and X₂ (or the linearhorizontal distance between centerpoints Z₁ and Z₂) is from about 0.1 toabout 4.0 cm, preferably 1.0 to 3.0 cm, and more preferably from 2.0 to3.0, especially about 2.5 cm.

It has been found that this geometry helps to ensure that lens regions12, 14 fit closely over respective eye regions of the wearer withoutdistorting or blocking vision of the wearer in the central portion ofthe lens. More specifically, the relatively narrow separation between Z₁and Z₂ ensures a closer fit for a wider range of head and face shapesthan has been available with conventional unitary lens designs having asingle cylindrical or spherical shape across the face of the lens, whileproviding protection throughout the peripheral range of vision.

Preferably, the radius of curvature of outer surfaces 2,4 (i.e., theradius centered at centerpoints Z₁, Z₂) is from about 5 to about 7 cm,more preferably from about 5.5 to about 6.0 cm. The radius of curvatureof the inner surfaces will be smaller than that of the outer surfaces,but the radius of curvature of the inner surfaces will also be withinthe same preferred ranges. The thickness of lens 10 may be uniformacross the lens regions or may vary slightly (e.g., thicker at thecenter of lens 10 tapering to a thinner thickness towards the sides oflens 10), as long as the lens regions do not impart noticeabledistortion to a wearer's vision. Generally, the thickness of lens 10will be within the range of about 0.05 to about 0.5 cm.

In a second preferred aspect, outer surfaces 2,4 are joined by blendedjuncture 16 that is integral with surfaces 2,4. In other words, thetransition between outer surfaces 2,4 has a minimal width and isdesigned to ensure further that lens regions 12, 14 provide the desiredclose fit without blocking or distorting vision at the central portionof lens 10.

It is preferred that juncture 16 (i.e., the transition area where thetwo substantially spherical portions forming lens regions 12 and 14meet) has a linear horizontal width d² of 0.1 to 1.0 cm, preferably 0.4to 0.8 cm. The exact configuration of blended juncture 16 is lesscritical than the configuration of the lens regions, but it is preferredthat lens regions 12, 14 are integrally and smoothly blended into aunitary lens. For example, juncture 16 may be shaped as a portion of atorus, but other configurations are possible. (For comparison, for whend² is zero, the juncture between outer surfaces 2,4 would have the formof an arc.) Lens 10 is generally prepared from an optical plastic. Alens blank 90 (shown in FIG. 9) may be premolded using known injectionmolding or compression molding methods, whereafter a blended juncture 16can be polished into blank 90 if desired. Thereafter, lens 10 of adesired shape can be cut from blank 90, for example, a lens having theconfiguration shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 9. An advantage of thisprocess is that lenses having different shapes and sizes can be cut fromthe same standard blank. thermoplastic material such as those generallydescribed above for lens 10. Alternatively, the connecting member can bemade from a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene or anthermoplastic elastomer. Lens 10 can be transparent, or colored forsunglass applications using a variety of dyes as is known in the art. Ifdesired, lens 10 can be coated with an optical coating (e.g., to enhancelight at certain wavelength regions or to provide anti-reflection at theback surface of the lens), or with a scratch-resistance coating.

Lens 10 of the present invention may be attached to a frame member (notshown) using conventional techniques. As examples, lens 10 may beprovided with a top frame member extending along only the upper edge ofthe lens, or a front frame member can extend around the periphery oflens 10. Temples can then be attached to the top or front frame members.Alternatively, temples can be attached directly to lens 10, without theuse of a top or front frame member, using conventional techniques knownin the art such as fasteners, adhesives, or locking interfitconnections. It is also within the scope of the invention to attach arear strap to the lens, or its frame members, as commonly used on skigoggles, to hold more firmly lens 10 in proper position on the head andface of the wearer.

FIGS. 3 to 4 illustrate one preferred embodiment for connecting templesto lens 10 that employs a unique connecting member of this invention. Asshown in FIG. 3, a first (or right) connecting member 42 connects lensregion 12 to temple 44, and a second (or left) connecting member 43connects lens region 14 to temple 45. (Hereinafter, connecting member 43will be described in detail, but it is understood that connecting member42 will have similar structure.) Connecting member 43 has a top prong 51and a bottom prong 52 at the forward end thereof and an extension 53that extends rearwardly from the juncture of the top and bottom prongs51,52, such that connecting member 43 has a general Y-shape. Temple 45is connected to the distal end of extension 53, e.g., through a pivotalconnection such as hinge assembly 47. Top and bottom prongs 51,52 havelateral grooves 53,54 in opposed inner surfaces thereof, such that edgesof lens 10 are received in the lateral grooves. More specifically, anend portion of top edge 11 is engaged in lateral groove 53, and an endportion of bottom edge 13 is engaged in lateral groove 54.

Preferably, lens 10 further comprises projection 40 projecting from itsside, wherein projection 40 is received in opening 55 extending axiallythrough the interior of extension 53 as a male/female connection.Projection 40 (as well as a corresponding projection on the other sideof lens 10) is an integral part of lens 10, such that the projectionsmay be cut from blank 90 with the remainder of lens 10 (FIG. 9).Accordingly, projection 40 is part of the substantially sphericalportion forming surface 4. Projection 40 may include top and bottomdetents 56,57, and connecting member 43 may include corresponding topopening 58 and bottom opening (not shown) for removably receiving thedetents. The detents and the corresponding openings in the connectingmember facilitate a snap interfit. A snap interfit provides forinterchangeability of lenses, i.e., a wearer can change temples orlenses by removing and replacing connecting members 42 and 43.Preferably, the top and bottom openings are aligned to form a singlepassage extending vertically and transversely through extension 53.Additionally, a notch 59 may be provided in the end edge of projection40 for engagement with a peg extending transversely in opening 55, toensure that the projection is aligned properly once inserted in theopening of the connecting member.

Connecting member 43 may then be attached to temple 45 in a conventionalmanner, such as with a screw, rivet, or snap-on interfit. As shown inthe figures, connecting member 43 and temple 45 are connected with astandard hinge assembly 47.

It will be appreciated that the connecting members are useful foreyewear having lenses other than the lens of the present invention. Forexample, the connecting members may be used on eyewear having aconventional unitary lens, and eyewear having two lenses connected by abridge.

The connecting members may be made from a molded thermoplastic materialsuch as those generally described above for lens 10. Alternatively, theconnecting member can be made from a thermoplastic material such aspolypropylene or an thermoplastic elastomer. It is preferred that thematerial used for the connecting members has sufficient resilience toallow the described frictional interfit with the lens.

As discussed supra, indentation 17 of lens 10 can be designed to fitdirectly on the nose, but it is preferred that the lens is provided witha nosepiece. A preferred nosepiece 81 is shown in FIGS. 5 to 8. Thisdesign is less obtrusive to the wearer's vision than conventionalnosepieces employed with unitary lens designs, and especially lessintrusive than nosepieces that wrap around a bridge between lenses. Asshown best in FIG. 6, the construction of nosepiece 81 moves the bulk ofits mass downwardly along the nose of the wearer and below the normalline of vision of the wearer.

The preferred nosepiece includes outwardly extending legs 82,83 and atop 89, having opposite front and rear surfaces 89' and 89",respectively (FIGS. 5 and 7), such that the nosepiece has an inverted"U" shape as viewed from its front or its rear, preferably in a keyholeconfiguration as shown. More particularly the top 89 and legs 82, 83together form a central nosepiece opening 71. The junctures of top 89and legs 82, 83 are slightly indented such that the width of opening 71at top 89, designated in FIG. 6 as "w₁ ", is larger than the width ofopening 71 at the juncture points 73 and 75, designated "w₂ ". The legsinclude grooves 87,88 each having groove bottom surfaces 87', 88',respectively, in the outer surfaces thereof for receiving indentation 17in bottom edge 13 of lens 10. The rear of the legs 82,83 further includerearwardly extending wings 84,85 for sitting on the nose of a wearer.The rear surface of top 89 has an abutment face 91 above wings 84,85 andextending above the top of the nosepiece.

Accordingly, bottom edge 13 of lens 10 is received in grooves 87 and 88.Terminals 19 and 20 of bottom edge 13 (projecting inwardly in centralindentation 17) mate with nosepiece 81 at a point just above thetermination point of grooves 87 and 88, i.e., substantially at juncturepoints 73 and 75, respectively, which configuration securely retainsnosepiece 81 within indentation 17 until forcibly removed therefrom. Top89 abuts the edge at the top of indentation 17 wherein abutment face 91abuts the back of lens 10.

As mentioned supra, nosepiece 81 sits below the field of vision of thewearer. Moreover, the design of nosepiece 81 and the complimentaryportion of lens 10, indentation 17, provides for a less hazardous designthan conventional unitary lenses made for receiving nose pieces. Suchconventional designs require multiple inward projections on the lens toreceive and hold conventional nosepieces in place. These conventionprojections tend to be rather pointed or sharp and can lead to injury tothe nose if the nosepiece is dislodged. Conversely, nosepiece 81 fitssecurely on lens 10 without the need for such pointed projections asterminals 19 and 20 have a more rounded configuration and are unlikelyto cause injury if nosepiece 81 is dislodged.

Nosepiece 81 is made of a suitable material to confer the properresiliency whereby it can elastically deform for insertion or removal.Further, nosepiece 81 is made of a material which will not easily slideon the nose when moistened by perspiration. Examples of such materialsinclude thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene or thermoplasticelastomers. Nosepiece 81 may be molded in two pieces, then joined by anadhesive or other means, along mate line 91.

Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have beenspecifically described above, it should be appreciated that manyadditions and modifications can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of this invention. Further, it is understood that thesubject invention is not limited by the example or embodiments set forthabove, but shall include modifications and variations that fall withinthe scope of the attached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A nosepiece for a unitary lens comprising:a) atop portion having opposite front and rear surfaces and right and leftsides; b) first and second legs each having opposite front and rearsurfaces, said first and second legs extending downwardly from saidright and left sides of said top portion, respectively, said first andsecond legs and said top portion together forming a central nosepieceopening, the junctures of said top portion and each of said legs beingindented such that the width w₁ of said nosepiece opening at said top islarger than the width w₂ of said nosepiece opening adjacent saidjunctures; c) first and second grooves formed in said first and secondlegs between said front and rear surfaces thereof, respectively, forreceiving an edge of said unitary lens, said first and second groovesextending along said first and second legs, respectively, from a pointbelow said junctures with respect to said top portion.
 2. The nosepieceof claim 1, wherein said legs gradually flare outwardly with respect toeach other as they extend away from said top portion.
 3. The nosepieceaccording to claim 1, and further including first and second wingportions attached to said rear portions of said first and second legs,respectively, said wing portions being configured for resting on thenose of the wearer.
 4. The nosepiece of claim 1, and further comprisingan abutment face having opposite front and rear surfaces, said abutmentface attached to said rear surface of said top portion and extendingabove said top portion in a direction opposite to said first and secondlegs, said front surface of said abutment face and said front surface ofsaid top portion lying in spaced, substantially parallel planes.
 5. Thenosepiece of claim 4 wherein said edge of said unitary lens has oppositefront and rear surfaces, and wherein said front surface of said abutmentface engages said rear surface of said lens edge, and said front surfaceof said top portion lies substantially flush with said front surface ofsaid lens edge, upon attaching said nosepiece to said unitary lens. 6.The nosepiece of claim 1 wherein said first and second grooves each havea substantially smooth bottom surface.
 7. The nosepiece of claim 6wherein said bottom surfaces of said first and second grooves arearcuately shaped.